HEAd for drinking
Bamboozlers
Diamond Jim TylEr
ABOUT FACE
BET: Prop up a $10 bill against a salt-shaker sitting on a table so that the portrait
faces outward. Everyone can see that the profile faces to the left or west (Fig. 1).
Bet that you can make the profile look the opposite direction without touching
the bill.
SECRET: Fill a clear glass with water and place it about four inches in front of the
bill. Now when your audience looks through the glass all can see the portrait
is looking the opposite direction (Fig. 2). The image may be distorted for some
depending on their angle when looking at this optical
illusion. If they see a blurred or double-image, then have
them close one of their eyes to witness the mirror reflection of the bill through the glass of water.
You can also start with the bill
flush against the glass so all can
see that the profile still faces
the same direction. Then slowly
pull the bill back and have them
look at the portrait through the
glass so they can see the exact
moment the head turns the opposite direction. As a follow-up
I’ll ask them “Which President is
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VANISH - International Magic Magazine
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